Delhi Govt uses new measures to fight air pollution

With air pollution likely to once again reach severe limits in the coming days, Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday ordered immediate implementation of the six new measures to fight air pollution, including induced-draft air treatment system.

Sources said that the government has decided to collaborate with CSIR NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute), a science research and development institute of the government of India for the implementation and establishing of the systems to fight the menace of pollution.

"In collaboration with the PWD, NEERI will design and execute induced-draft creation units at five major traffic intersections in Delhi. The IDC at IIT Bombay will help NEERI design for these traffic intersections," said an official.

He added that the unit has the potential to reduce carbon monoxide and particulate emission by 40%-60% emission in 20-30m radius during peak hours of traffic, air quality sensors, anemometers, camera and counters will be mounted on these units for better mapping which will enable robust data assimilation and analysis.

"The deputy CM has also ordered that DPCC conduct the five following studies regarding air pollution along with NEERI, which will result in concrete deliverables, which will help the Delhi Government to curb the menace of air pollution.

Based on studies the government will then check the feasibility of cow dung, sewage sludge, alum sludge for its possible fuel pellets, tiles, bricks or other useful material.

"The DPCC and NEERI will work on designing of air pollution control system for green crematorium, a passive venting system for dumpsite and a clean tandoor community kitchen system. Also, they will also work towards designing design and policy document for brick kilns air pollution control," said an official.

Meanwhile, sources said that the Delhi government will also create green buffers along traffic corridors, to reduce kerbside pollution and intervene at road traffic intersections using different technologies.

The MET department has predicted a dip in the temperature of up to four degrees in the national capital in the first week December. This, however, has once again led to a possibility of post Diwali air pollution smog which covered the national capital.

The sudden drop in the temperature as well as reduced wind speed leads to a rise in air pollution as the lack of wind and sun doesn't allow the pollutants to disperse.